Comments for February 4

10 Stubbornness

We must understand that when God “hardened Pharaoh’s heart” Pharaoh still had a will of his own. God confirmed Pharaoh’s behaviour in accordance to what Pharaoh had repeatedly demonstrated was what he wanted to do. Similarly we can be so focussed on doing what we want to do that we do not notice that what God wants of us is different.

Exo 10:1-2  The plagues on Egypt were signs not only for Pharaoh and his servants but also for the Israelites. The Israelites were to tell the following generations what the LORD had done in Egypt by “signs done among them”. The lesson to be learnt for Israel was “…that ye may know how that I am the LORD.”(Exo 10:2).

The existence of the Jews is a sign for us that there is one God and one saviour and no other.

“ Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”(Isa 43:10-11)  

The Israelites were told to remember the miraculous work of the LORD in Egypt. They were to teach it to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  So today we should remember to teach our children about the signs the LORD has given us through the voice of His prophets about the offer of our deliverance from sin and death and to know how this came about through the Lord Jesus Christ.

10:6 so after promising the plague of locusts Moses and Aaron just left. No time now for discussion.  Yahweh is putting more and more pressure on Pharaoh. It will end with him finally driving Israel out of Egypt – but only to repent of that action a short while later

10:3 This is the fourth and last time that Pharaoh was told that “the Lord God of the Hebrews” would act. It was his last opportunity to submit.

10:2,6 Notice the contrasts. The plague was to be something that could be recounted to the children and they to their children. An idea taken up in Moses’ instruction to Israel, one example being Deut 4:9. By contrast Pharaoh was told that the plague was worse than he, nor any of his ancestors had experienced.

10:2 Doubtless those who experienced the plagues and the deliverance from Egypt would speak about their experiences to their children and their grandchildren. But we are left to wonder whether those who were told  about the plagues and exodus would tell their children and grandchildren.

The problem is that history is often seen as “out of date” or not relevant. However in Israel’s and our case it is vital to be reminded and remind others of how God has worked in the past in order to provide the confidence to believe that He will work in the future.

10:2  Israel’s deliverance from Egypt stands in Israel’s history as the evidence that Yahweh is their God and can save. For that reason they were to recount the details to their descendants to confirm the power of their God. Further the prophets and the historical writings and Psalms repeatedly reminded the nation of the experience of deliverance from Egypt. These historical lessons pass into the New Testament also. They are of value for you and I today. We neglect the deliverance from Egypt at our peril.

64v.5 - uses the same Hebrew word for 'snare' as we have just been considering in Exodus, but here - v.7-9 - for the sake of the righteous who trust in him (v.10) - God will bring them around to fear him and declare his work. So the confidence of man to shoot at the wicked (v.4) is counter productive.

65 v.2 - Let us not forget that God hears our prayers. It is easy to believe that He doesn't, especially when He takes what seems to us to be a long time to answer, and maybe even more especially when He does not provide the answer we want or expect. We must trust in Him at all times that what he causes to happen to us is for the best in the eternal scheme of things. This should make us more inclined to pray to Him. Here are some helpful reminders from the Psalms - 66:19, 102:17, 145:18,19

Psalm 64 - In this Psalm David shows that even though he knew that God was in control and could save him he was still hurt by the evil words of the wicked. In this we take comfort for we also are hurt by the words of evil men. Just like David we can appreciate that our God can act as the antidote to the distress such things cause us.

Psalm 65 - We might think that :5 of this Psalm is speaking only of the future salvation of man. However :9-13 shows that God's salvation extends to the harvest that we take so much for granted year in year out.

64:4 In shooting in secret the wicked seek to overthrow the just without anyone knowing who it is who has done the deed. It is rather like sending unsigned letters accusing individuals. The law was designed to prevent this sort of thing. Two witnesses were required who would both testify openly (Deuteronomy 17:6)

65:4 The blessed man is a recurring theme in the Psalms. Psalm 1:1 32:1 34:8, 94:12 112:1. There is value in looking at all the things that are said about the blessed man.

64:6 Whilst ‘love covers a multitude of sins’ (James 5:20, 1Pet 4:8) the wicked are searching for things to cast against the righteous. Herein is a warning for us. It is so easy to look for faults in others rather than look for the best in our brethren.

65:5,8  The two fold mention of those who are distant to Israel maybe speaks of the call of the gentiles and the effect God can have on them. He is the salvation of gentiles but the far of those who do not respond to Him.

Psalm 64  A prayer of David for deliverance from evil men, and a statement of confidence in God's final judgement of them.

Psalm 65  In this Psalm we have a song of joy and praise, probably used at the Feast of the Firstfruits, to give thanks for God's abundant and undeserved blessings.

64:4,7 - to take the comment above a stage further, here we see a fascinating contrast.  God will indeed deal with those who shoot an arrow in secret at the perfect in like manner.

It's a lovely idea that God crowns the year with His goodness (Psa 65:11) The previous two verses speak of the seasons, with God enabling the seed to grow, and how He waters the earth. The harvest is the gift of God. It is the result of His kindness and blessing.  As a community we usually shy away from the idea of a "Harvest Festival", but it's a good thing to stop and thank the Lord for all His provision. Without Him, and His blessings on the earth, where would we be?

64:4      And so whilst the ‘wicked’ have been shooting arrows ‘in secret’ :2 their evil will be seen by all eventually. A consequence of this will be that ‘all men’ will recognise the majesty of God.

65:5,7   The way in which the Psalmist trusts God who ‘stilleth the noise of the sea’ provides the model for the disciples of Jesus – Mark 4:39

Psa 65:1-5 - this perhaps refers somewhat to the millennial age - Praise awaits God in Sion/Zion; thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come (Isa 56:7); the purging away of transgressions (Isa 53:6,12); Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee (Matt 20:16; 1Pet 2:9), that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple; O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth

65:2 Our Heavenly Father not only hears prayer, but is accessible twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. We may feel at times that it is not heard, when we do not receive the answer we are looking for, but we have the assurance it is always heard . Matt 21:22

The evils of the tongue come in for criticism (64:3). But an evil tongue will come back to trip up its owner (64:8). James exhorts us how evil the tongue can be (James 3:5-8). We are also reminded that we shall be held accountable for our careless words at the judgement (Matt 12:36,37).

64:2-3 In asking God to hide him from the words of the wicked David acknowledges that it is impossible to really defuse the slander of men. The bitter words are like arrows. There is no defence, our feelings are hurt whatever we think about the words. It is best to avoid the words, entering into debate to clear our name is valueless as this only brings more hurt.

64:2The ‘secret counsel’ characterises the wicked. Loving darkness their plans are hatched in secret. They are the ones who gossip and speak behind the backs of others. Where do we fit into this scheme of things?

The chosen one (65:4) was Jesus, and this Psalm is a prophecy about him. I wonder if Jesus' calming of the storm in (Matt 14:24-32) is a fulfilment of v7? If it is, then Jesus was plainly declaring "I am the chosen one" to his disciples. This fits in with the context because in the previous verses of Mat 14; the feeding of the 5000 in the wilderness, would relate to v11-13. This is a good explanation why the disciples who had witnessed the Psalm being fulfilled, were immediately compelled to say "truly you are the son of God!" (Matt 14:33).

64:2 In asking God to ‘hide’ him from the wicked David is recognising that it is not in his own power to escape the evil intentions of the wicked. How often do we think that we can save ourselves from problems rather than rely upon God?

65:8 Even those who live in the remotest places can see the creation of Yahweh which testifies to His existence and power (Rom 1:19,20).

65:7 In linking together the stilling of the waters and the stilling of the people we learn that waters represent people. This gives us a principle which we see used elsewhere in Scripture – Rev 4:6

Psa 65:1-2  The sense of these verses is echoed in Isa 2:2-3, where we read that all nations will come to Jerusalem, to hear the word of the LORD go out from Zion

64:2 In asking to be hidden in the time of trouble maybe David is reflecting on the way that God ‘took’ Enoch out of the persecution of Lamech – Gen 5:24

65:9-10           David sees the “natural” events of the year with rain and harvest as an evidence of a God who is working in His creation. Do we ever think about the ongoing care of God for us when we think about the seasons?

Psa 65:7 – The sea and the waves are like the troubled nations.  The prophetic theme of this verse is developed by the prophet Isaiah and the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Lord will subdue troubled humanity and bring about the peacefulness of the Kingdom of God. Isaiah speaks of the multitudes of people being like the noise seas (Isa 17:12-13; Isa 57:20).  Jesus takes up this same theme when he warns us of the “sea and the waves roaring”, the time of trouble among the nations prior to his return (Luke 21:25).

When God’s judgements have fallen on the nations they will be subdued and like “a sea of glass mingled with fire…” The saints will stand on this “sea of glass” (Rev 15:2).  At the end of the 1000 year period after Christ’s return, there will be no rebellious nations.  This is symbolised by the vision Jesus gave through his angel, “there was no more sea.” (Rev 21:1).

Psa 64:2 - "the insurrection" that was against the King of the Jews (Mark 15:2;Luke 19:14)..."the workers of iniquity" (Luke 19:27;Matt 7:21-23).

Psa 64:4-5 - "shoot in secret at the perfect...laying snares" - does the perfect here have application to Christ? (Matt 22:15-18).

Psa 64:8 - "they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves" (Gen 11:4-9;Matt 27:25).

Psa 64:9 - "all men...shall declare the work of God" (all men = Jews and Gentiles - Isa 2:2;Gal 3:28).

Psa 64:10 - "The righteous" <6662> ("righteous" here is singular and perhaps has an application to Christ). 

Psa 65:1 - "Praise waiteth for thee" (Heb 9:24-28).

Psa 65:2 - "unto thee shall all flesh come" ("house of prayer for all nations" Isa 56:7).

Psa 65:3 - "Iniquities...our transgressions" [the Day of Atonement has this (Isa 53:45,6,8,11,12) as its theme]..."purge" [<3722> can mean "make (an) atonement, to cover, reconcile, cleanse, etc."].

Psa 65:4 - "Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee" (Mark 16:19;Acts 2:32-34).

Psa 65:9-13 - The final Jubilee of Christ's return and establishment of his Father's kingdom on earth.

65:1      The vow that David made is spoken of in Psa 132:2. It related to finding a place for God to dwell.

64:3      David, suffering persecution. He sees the words of his persecutors as arrows from a bow. When, in similar circumstances, Jeremiah speaks in a similar way – Jer 9:3. Do we take comfort from the fact that others have been through similar circumstances to ourselves? 

65:11    We might think that the end of the year is the end of December. However in Israel an end of the year would be the harvest. An abundant harvest would be a sign of God’s blessing.

Psalm 64

In this Psalm David is afraid of the words of the wicked. Look how he describes their words as weapons:

"Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words" (v3)

Can words really be that damaging? Certainly. In David's case, Absalom's words were what almost cost him his life. Absalom secretly set about to undermine David's credibility and to damage his popularity by digging up all the dirt:

"They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search" (v6)

This sustained effort worked. Absalom gained a group of co-conspirators (v5) and suddenly, one day, he fired his arrows at David in an incredibly bold plot to take over the throne:

"suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not" (v4)

The whole story is in 2Sam 15 -17. The Psalm doesn't end there, however. It goes on to show that by the same weapon of words God would protect David and cause their plot to fail (v7-8). To find out how God did it, take note of Ahithophel and Hushai in the Samuel story.

64:5      All plotting and planning to overthrow another is done in secret. It is not just the attempts to overthrow the rightful king that is being spoken of here. How often do we seek to achieve our own ends by secretly planning a course of action that will guarantee that our desires prevail? Whilst the one(s) we are seeking to deceive may not know of our schemes our Heavenly Father does. He is the one who judges motives.  So even if we achieve our desires we have to ask what the Father thinks about the motives which have driven us.

65:5    In speaking of God as “god of our salvation” we meet a phrase which does not occur often. However one occasion is 1Chron 16:35 when David brought the ark to Zion.

64:4    David speaks of himself as “perfect”<8535> which is the same word used of Jacob – Gen 25:27 – and of Job – Job 1:1. His perfection was a faithfulness to God’s will and word despite his shortcomings.

AMAZING GRACE   

The amazingness of the grace of God filled me up as I read Psalm 65. In particular it was verse three that caught my attention as I read it from the NET version for a change. This is what it says, "Our record of sins overwhelms me, but you forgive our acts of rebellion." (Psa 65:3).

As I read this verse, an image filled my mind. I saw myself in a room filled with books and filing cabinets. In front of me was a table with a pen and paper, and there I was, filling out lists of all the times I had sinned against God. The sins I was writing down were just the recent ones. Others had already been written and were filed away in the cabinets and stacked as piles of writing books. I hadn't realised the record of my sins was so long or large.

Then as I was still writing, someone told me, "All these sins have been forgiven." There were so many! All of them? Yes, all of them.

We might be overwhelmed by the size, badness or quantity of our sins, but God's grace can overflow to cover all the badness if we accept it. What amazing grace He pours out on sinners like you and me!

65:12-13 When we see hills covered with cattle and sheep and a plenteous harvest do we think of God taking care of His Creation?

64:2 The idea that God would “hide” individuals form the counsel of the wicked and the consequences that would follow is an idea seen in one of the minor prophets – Zeph 2:3

65:4 The Psalmist speaks of the majesty of God as seen in the way in which he maintains His Creation (65:9-13). It is against this background that David looks in awe at the Creator’s grace – “blessed is the man that Thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee” (65:4)

So if we ever doubt the privilige of our position “in Christ”.  Reflect on the fact that it is the Creator of all things who is offering us fellowship with Him.

65:3 How did God purge Israel’s iniquities away? Clearly it was through His chastening hand. We might feel that the sacrifice of Jesus purges us from sins – Heb 9:14 – but his sacrifice does not stop us ever doing wrong! Like Israel in our case it is God’s chastening hand that we are encouraged to change the way we live. Heb 12:5-11

65:2  At the moment all flesh does not come to God. Clearly David is looking to the time when Christ will be back in the earth and all nations will serve him.

15 v. 7-12. What a wealth of scripture Paul pulls together to provide comfort for these Roman gentile believers. v.8 says how Jesus brought in a new and better covenant and thereby made the covenant of circumcision, which had been everything, worthless. He then brings out a list of Old Testament passages to prove it. v.9 quotes Ps.18:49 (& 2Sam.22:50 - parallel passage) v.10 quotes Deut.32:43. v.11 quotes Ps.117:1 and v.12 quotes Isa.11:1,10 - leaving them in no doubt that Christ indeed died for them, as he did for us.

15:1-4 Paul continues the theme he has been dealing with in chapter 14. We do not please ourselves but rather to help our brethren and sisters. This precludes the mind set which contemplates helping our brethren and sisters only when it is convenient to us.
16:1-16 The long list of salutations might seem out of place in a letter dealing with doctrinal and practical problems in ecclesial life. However they are most fitting. The greetings actually mark the way in which each 'part' of the body of Christ fits together with others.
16:17-18 'Mark them that cause divisions ...' presents the other side of the unity of the 'body of Christ'. Divisive brethren and sisters need to be dealt with.

ch 15 - A key word in this chapter is 'gentiles' As you read the chapter highlight the word. This will help you to gain a better insight into the structure of the chapter and the thrust of Paul's argument.

16:5 In speaking of 'the church which is in their house' we gain an insight into New Testament life in Christ. No large ornate buildings. Not even small halls owned by the church. They simply met in homes of believers. Look also at Acts 2:46 1 Corinthians 16:19 Colossians 4:15

15:5 In speaking of our God as ’the God of patience’ Paul is voicing a wonderful truth. But if He is patient how should we be?

16:13 Is this ‘Rufus’ the same one as Mark 15:21? Of course we cannot know. However he is the only one mentioned in Scripture.

Rom 16:17  We have a warning against those who cause divisions within the ecclesia. This was a major concern to the apostle. He had told the Ephesian elders that wolves would enter in not sparing the flock. Acts 20:29 He also warned Timothy that men would leave the truth and turn to fables. 2Tim 4:4 In this chapter Paul urges the believers in Rome to mark them that cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned. To avoid them, or turn away from them. They state pleasing words and make a strong case. By good words and fair speeches, they deceive the hearts of the simple. (or innocent) V.18 Those in the 1st. century had to be on guard, as we do today. We, like the believers in Rome however should be comforted by the words of V.20  which is an echo of Gen 3:15

15:1 - What a seriously challenging conclusion to draw from the argument of the previous chapter!  A whole chapter which tells the strong brother that it is OK to continue in what he is doing, as long as it is done to the glory of God.  Now suddenly we are pulled up by our bootlaces and told that we must bear (I suggest 'bear in mind') the infirmities of the weak - so even though we know that what we planned was not wrong, we must curtail our behaviour in respect for the bro or sis that feels it is not right.  This must be one of the greatest acts of patience we are asked to pursue. Why, one might ask, make the effort to move from weakness to strength, when having reached this position we cannot use it because there will always be some that are weak.  We need I think to bear two things in mind - 1. that we were once weak and 2. that it is in our recognition of our weakness that strength occurs - 2Cor 12:9, Heb 11:34

15:1 Paul further exhorts us to defer to our brethren.  The strong should help the weak.  This applies to both physical and spiritual situations.  If done in the Spirit of Christ for salvation's sake, then all will benefit.  
 
16:17 We must keep our eye on the ball for those causing divisions.  What happened in the first century can happen today.  And so, we must discern that what is said and done is correct (1John 4:1). 

Notice Paul talks about offences (KJV).  These offences are doctrinal stumbling blocks or impediments to the Truth.

Personal offences towards our brethren should, of course, also be avoided, but sometimes that is difficult.  If we can agree not to hit below the belt then we should be alright.
By the same token, no one should wear his/her belt around his/her forehead.

The self discipline and self sacrifice needed to bow to these commands is very great.  Let us keep reminding ourselves of these principles set out for us in these two chapters (14 and 15), that we might learn not to offend - or better still that we might learn not to be offended.

15:5     In speaking of the Father as ‘the God of patience’ Paul is reminding us of a characteristic of Him that we should want to manifest – most appropriate when considering how we interact with other brethren and sisters.

16:2      ‘assist’ is the same word translated ‘yield’ in Rom 6:13 etc: so our help of others is seen in the way that we yield to their needs. It is no good helping someone when it suits us or fits in with what we are doing. In the same was that we are to ‘yield’ to Christ we are to ‘yield’ to the needs of our brethren and sisters.

Can I make a couple of comments about the names in Rom 16? Paul had not been to Rome when he wrote this letter, so it is all the more remarkable that he is able to send love to so many Brothers and Sisters whom he had met, and worked with, in other places.  There must have been a lot of movement in those early ecclesias, rather like the news we read at the end of The Christadelphian Magazine. There are at least 29 people mentioned in Rome to whom Paul sends his love, and a further 8 who join with Paul in sending their love to the Roman ecclesia. Aren’t Brothers and Sisters important?

16:12 With the similarity of names we wonder if these two Sisters were twins. We have a note in our margin that the names mean "delicate" and "dainty" (Source unknown) The important thing that we note is these Sisters did not merely work, but they laboured (worked very hard)

15:2 Pleasing our neighbour is the principle ‘love thy neighbour as thyself’ Lev 19:18

RUFUS' MUM
 
"Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me too." (Rom 16:13)
 
This is the only place in the Bible that we learn about Rufus' Mum, and yet in these few words we get a great insight into the sort of person she was.
 
Firstly, she was a believer, and the fact that Rufus was chosen in the Lord is a credit to her parenting skills. Oh that more of us would bring up our children with the dedication to the Lord that Rufus' Mum would have done! It seems that she wholeheartedly supported Rufus in his work in the Lord.
 
And secondly, when Paul came to stay, Rufus' Mum became a mother to him too. Paul had no wife and his mother did not travel with him on his missionary journeys. So Rufus' Mum took him in and became Paul's surrogate mother while he was with her. She would have given him the comfort a mother gives, hugged and kissed him, told him to be careful as he went out to preach, washed his dirty clothes, cooked home-made dinners for him, made sure his hair was brushed and his beard neatly trimmed, and prayed for Paul each day.
 
More of us need to follow the example of Rufus' Mum. We need to become a mother, father, brother or sister to someone who needs our support and care. Let's adopt someone to be part of our family while they need our support and become a mother, father, brother or sister to them too.

AQUILA AND PRISCILLA

15:8   The circumcision that Jesus was the minister of was not the circumcision in the flesh but rather the circumcision of the heart.  In speaking like this of Jesus those who wanted to require circumcision of the gentiles would be brought up with a start as Jesus never mentioned circumcision as an act that should be observed.

15:15 Here we may be given the reason for the letter to the Romans. Paul wishes to put them in ‘mind’ ‘remembrance’ RV. So the letter is a reminder to them of the things that they believed. Maybe indicating that there was a falling away from the things that they had been taught.

15:12 Jesus is the root of Jesse through being the root of David (Rev 22:16).

16:3 Pricilla is the diminutive form of Prisca (2Tim 4:19).

Are we indebted to Israel?

15:27 links in with 11:11-18. Gentiles are indebted to the Israelites because we can now share in their means of salvation free of charge. This appears to be the main reason why Paul said in 13:8 "owe no man anything". He was reminding the Gentile converts of their insurmountable debt to the Jewish saints in Jerusalem, and persuading them to view the bodily needs of the saints as an obligation they should fulfil if they have the means to do so (v25-29).

Rom 15:6 - God is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.

15:18 It appears here that Paul is speaking to the Jewish element of the ecclesia having explained to them in chapter 10 about the problem that the Jewish nation had with their relationship with God. He does not want them to think that they have been forgotten because the gentiles have received the gospel. Rather that they, together with the gentiles, would benefit from the mercy of God.

15:16 In talking about being ‘the minister … to the gentiles’ Paul is re stating the charge that he was given Acts 9:15  

16:19 The Roman believers must have been well known. This is the second time that Paul has commended them for the fact that their faithfulness is known outside Rome – Rom 1:8 being the other occasion.  So the letter is sandwiched, so to speak between two comments about the faithfulness of the believers in Rome being well known. Would to God that we were well known for our faithfulness and commitment to the gospel.

BLESSED BY A VISIT

Paul had plan. He was on his way to Jerusalem, and after his visit to Jerusalem, he intended to go to Spain, and on his way, to visit Rome. No doubt the believers in Italy and Rome were looking forward to seeing Paul again. Paul's words to them about his planned visit were these: "I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ." (Rom 15:29)

This was going to be quite some visit! He was not just dropping in to say hello. Paul had a purpose to his visit. His plan was that he would leave the believers in Rome richer for his visit. Because he had been there, the believers were going to be stronger, more encouraged, more committed and godlier people than they were before he had come. Paul planned on his visit being a blessing to them, in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

It is always nice to visit, to chat, to catch up on old times, and to hear news from different places. But let's not leave it at that. Let us, like Paul, plan to be an encouragement and a blessing to the people we meet. Let's not be satisfied with a social call, but aim to see that others are blessed by our presence - blessed in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

15:5,13,33       Notice the three characteristics of God that Paul speaks of. Patience (and consolation) hope, and peace.

15:1  Sadly those who see themselves as “strong” disciples seem to look down on those who they perceive to be “weak”. If we truly are “strong” then we would see the needs of others and attempt to meet them. If we cannot rise to that level of service then the conclusion one has to draw is that we are amongst those who are “weak”. 

15:5,13,33   Four qualities of God are shown in these three passages “patience”, “consolation” (comfort) “hope” and “peace”. Each of these elements builds to present a picture of the qualities that we should show to others.

STEPS TO UNITY

Throughout the book of Romans, Paul gives us a lot of advice about how to act to remain united with fellow believers. Here are some of them:

• We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak. (Rom 15:1).
• We who are strong ought not to please ourselves. (v.1).
• Each of us should please his neighbour for his good. (v.2).
• Each of us should build his neighbour up. (v.2).
• May God give you a spirit of unity. (v.5).
• Follow Jesus Christ. (v.5).
• With one heart and mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (v.6).
• Accept one another as Christ accepted you. (v.7).

After having said this, Paul goes on to talk about the Gentiles becoming part of the family of God. The Gentiles were people who were not born into the line of God's special people. They had different ideas, customs and traditions. They didn't keep the law like the rest of the Jews did. And on top of that, they didn't know the Scriptures as well as the Jews. But Paul's message about the Gentiles is that they should be united with the Jews as one united body.

The lesson for us is that if we feel strong in Christ, we need to help the not so strong people feel like they are part of the body of Christ, building each other up, despite what differences we might have.

Let's aim to glorify God with all of our fellow believers with one heart and mouth.

15:15  Paul has developed the main points of the gospel in this letter. Now he is saying that the letter is to “remind” the believers of those things they believe. How do we feel about being reminded of the things we believe? Do we see it as important? Christadelphian Sunday preaching events are designed to teach those first principles. Do we always go to those talks, even if baptized? Do we think that they are not fur us and so we need not go? The implication from what Paul says here is that we need to be reminded of the things we believe and the reasoning which supports those beliefs. Christadelphian Sunday preaching events, among other things, supply that need.

15:33  Contention is not infrequently the outcome, if not the intention, of some of our interactions with others. Our Father is not like this. He is focused on peace – a peace based on truth and mercy. It is all too easy for a well-meaning discussion to degenerate into contention. We must be aware of this possibility and strive to guard against it at all times.

16:10   Apelles approval of God must indicated that he studied to be approved – 2Tim 2:15

Rom 16:17

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

In the midst of Paul giving his warm greetings to the saints, his love for them prompted him to conclude his letter warning them to beware of false teachers. Jesus warned of this too (Matt 7:15), and much of his teaching consisted of confronting the false teachings of the religious leaders of his day (cf. Matt 16:11,12; Matt 23:1-39; Matt 24:4,5). Most of 2Pet  warns against false teachers. Jude devotes his message to this same theme. The gospel of John repeatedly warned of false teachers. Paul’s final words to the Ephesian elders was to warn them against false teachings (Acts 20:28-30; cf. 2Cor 11:3-15). Timothy and Titus repeatedly emphasized the need for sound doctrine (2Tim 4:3,4; Titus 1:9-11).  

False teachers cause dissentions, hindrances, and stumbling blocks because they speak not according to His Word since there is no light in them (Isa 8:20). Their dissention stems from self-centeredness, self-righteousness (1Cor 11:14,15), being merely wolves in sheep’s clothing they use biblical verses out of context and are contentious! The root of the problem is that they promote themselves, not Christ, and certainly not the truth of the Gospel (cf. Rom 16:18)! As watchmen on the wall, we are to keep our eye on them (cf. Eze 3:17). We are to avoid heretics who are our satans, or adversaries, because their very sheepish pharisaical guise is dangerous (cf. Gal 1:6-9)! If we walk closely with our Saviour, his grace will protect us and deliver us from them.

Brother Robert Roberts left us a sample of how false teachers operated in their day and, by extension, do in ours. He writes: “Let our brethren everywhere beware of those who are constantly seeking to introduce ‘some new thing,’ and who, as a general rule, while professing to do honour to the Dr.’s grand expositions, openly repudiate and nullify him in their teachings. This class of professors may be known by their ever-changing novelties, and never having been really grounded in the truth, they make shipwreck of their faith, and many have even been landed in open infidelity. Let us keep our eyes immovably fixed on the mark of the prize of the high calling in the Anointed and we shall certainly be victors in the race.” Christadelphian, 1877, p. 527.

Rom 15:8-9 “…Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision of the truth of God to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.”  Paul is picking up on the 70 week prophecy of Daniel.   Messiah was to be cut off to bring an end to the Mosaic system (Dan 9:26-27). Through his sacrifice Jesus confirmed the covenant promise made to Abraham that though his seed (Jesus) all families of the earth, Jew & Gentile would be blessed (Gen 12:1-3; Gal 3:16).

Rom 15:4

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”